bivouac

noun

biv·ouac | \ ˈbi-və-ˌwak

, ˈbiv-ˌwak\

Definition of bivouac

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : a usually temporary encampment under little or no shelter

2a : encampment usually for a night

b : a temporary or casual shelter or lodging

bivouac

verb

bivouacked; bivouacking

Definition of bivouac (Entry 2 of 2)

intransitive verb

1 : to make a bivouac : camp a place for the troops to bivouac

2 : to take shelter often temporarily

transitive verb

: to provide temporary quarters for They were bivouacked in the gym during the storm.

Synonyms Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about bivouac

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Synonyms for bivouac

Synonyms: Noun

camp, campground, campsite, encampment, hutment

Synonyms: Verb

camp (out), encamp

Did You Know?

Verb

In his 1841 dictionary, Noah Webster observed bivouac to be a French borrowing having military origins. He defined the noun bivouac as "the guard or watch of a whole army, as in cases of great danger of surprise or attack" and the verb as "to watch or be on guard, as a whole army." The French word is derived from the Low German word biwacht, which translates to "by guard." Germans used the word specifically for a patrol of citizens who assisted the town watch at night. Today, bivouac has less to do with guarding and patrolling than it does with taking shelter.

Examples of bivouac in a Sentence

Noun

soldiers setting up a bivouac by the stream

Verb

the army bivouacked for the night by the lake

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

This is where our team met up to start missions or head to the bivouac to make supplies. — Gieson Cacho, The Mercury News, "Preview: ‘Ghost Recon Breakpoint’ refines co-op experience with the right group," 3 Sep. 2019 Right, competitors check their bikes at the bivouac after the end of the Stage 3. — Marc Martin, latimes.com, "Titan Desert 2018 | A 385-mile ride through the Moroccan desert," 3 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'bivouac.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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More Definitions for bivouac

bivouac

noun

English Language Learners Definition of bivouac

: a temporary camp or shelter

See the full definition for bivouac in the English Language Learners Dictionary

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bivouac

Definition of bivouac

Synonyms for bivouac

Did You Know?

Examples of bivouac in a Sentence

First Known Use of bivouac

History and Etymology for bivouac

English Language Learners Definition of bivouac

bivouac

Definition of bivouac

Synonyms for bivouac

Did You Know?

Examples of bivouac in a Sentence

First Known Use of bivouac

History and Etymology for bivouac

English Language Learners Definition of bivouac

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